Chelsea O'Shields, CPA’s Post

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CPA with the 3rd largest CPA firm in Tennessee and #85 on IPAs Top 100 list. I talk Automotive and Tax and a few things in between.

To the 2024 new interns in public accounting - welcome!! This is for all of you, not just those that joined the best firm in the world (HHM - if that needs clarifying). Welcome to an exciting time and the start of your career - you picked a phenomenal industry to go into, but I am sure you already know that. There is a large need for public accountants in the future, so you picked a secure and well-paying future - one that can be customized to your preferences. You can be partner, you can start your own firm, you can work a reduced schedule and focus on yourself, you can work with non-profits, you can become connected to the most powerful and influential people in your city, etc. Some of you have no idea what you are in store for, some of you think you know but will be caught off guard, and some of you will somehow magically already be prepared. Regardless, at the end of April, you will all have a new outlook on what public accounting is as a whole. Some quick advice : - Remain humble, this is the most important rule - Keep a good attitude, never complain about the people you work with, even when you are in a room with others who complain about them. - Take the scary projects - these are the ones you learn from - You will be working with interns who already know they want to make partner, and interns who aren't even sure they want to do public accounting for a living. Focus on yourself and your own path - you do not have to want the same things as each other or the same future. There is still a spot for you, and that spot is valuable - To the point above - focus on yourself!!!! If one intern seems to be getting all the work, don't get discouraged. Don't compare - I promise you - PROMISE YOU - that the standards set while you are an intern do not correspond at all to your full time career. Trust me on this one. Thats all I've got! If you can give any of the new 2024 interns advice - please feel free to add below! 😊

Dave Eisner

Audit Principal (Partner) at Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd.

9mo

Awesome advice, Chelsea! I couldn't agree more...except I would maybe argue the point about HHM being the best firm in the world. I think Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd. may hold that crown! 😉 Another piece of advice I preach to interns and our new FT hires is PATIENCE! Your internship (and probably the first 6 months in PA full time) will feel next to impossible. So much to learn and know, and at times it will feel like the people around you are speaking a different language...almost like they're all in on a joke and it's just going over your head. I personally remember feeling like a fraud and that I was falling behind. However, before you know it things will start to click. Experiences will start to build on each other and what used to seem impossible will start to seem commonplace and maybe even boring...a great nudge to keep pushing outside your comfort zone (those "scary projects"). PA is an incredibly satisfying and rewarding career, and it breaks my heart when folks bail too early in their careers to see all it has to offer: Constant growth/learning, life-long relationships, underrated flexibility...just to name a few. TL/DR - Don't panic or decide PA isn't for you if it doesn't click right away. It's totally normal!!

Joe Arrigo

Director of Talent | HHM Talent | Aut inveniam viam aut faciam | INTJ | Enneagram 5

9mo

I'd also add to this great post - advocate for yourself. It's rare that anybody gets "discovered." As Chelsea says, volunteer for a high visibility or important project and get in front of those who can see your best work. In the same vein, let people know when you are hitting your maximum capacity so you aren't overloaded and then do inferior work.

Claudio Gil, CPA

I help closely-held business owners reduce their taxes using proactive strategies | Tax Preparation and Research | Client Management | Certified Public Accountant

9mo

I learned the most from the hardest, most out-of-whack accounting engagements I had ever seen. I would totally recommend taking some of those on (if you feel comfortable!) It will challenge you and accelerate your growth

Riley Harmon

Staff Accountant | Military Veteran

9mo

Chelsea, thank you for the advice. I’m excited to develop skills needed to succeed in public accounting!

Casey Van Hout

Talent Strategist & Top LinkedIn Recruiter for 2022 and 2023

9mo

Good effort & good attitude are vital in building a good foundation, especially if this is your first internship! Don't be afraid to ask questions and celebrate the "wins" no matter how small

Allan Fisher

President at Premier Financial Search - specializing in the placement of CPA's

9mo

Great advice and a stellar post, Chelsea O'Shields, CPA

Linnea Bahlinger

Sr Marketing Coordinator, KY-TN-AR Area Resources Business Group | National Power ES&P Marketing Lead

9mo

Wonderfully said! Ugh, I want to intern under YOU :) You are a fabulous woman and such a hard worker.

Mike Manalac, CPA

Manager @ Google | 🔥Author of No Flux Given 🔥 | I help Stuck Accountants get Unstuck |

9mo

This is pure Gold! Chelsea O'Shields, CPA 🏅Taking the scary projects seems counterintuitive, but you don't learn from the easy ones! 🧟

Cade Lowrance

Accounting and Finance Student at The University of Georgia | WSJ Enthusiast | Bulldawg

9mo

Thank you so much for the great advice, Chelsea!

Katrina Fuhrman MBA PMP

Creator of Magical Moments | Events Marketing & Podcasting Strategist | ConnectorQueen Podcast Host of Becoming You (est. 2024); Winning Wednesday (est. 2020)

9mo

Love this advice for anyone starting something new in 2024! Maintaining a positive attitude goes such a long way.

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